Only three more chapters to go! How sad T^T No more War Torn to post. On a brighter note, only today and tomorrow before I'm done studying! YEAAAAAAAAA! =D That's good news for you as well, because then I get to start working on my other fics! You'll love my next posting of Feline Menace, there's a big surprise I've managed to squeeze in for you!

Grimmjow: It's not so great.

Vaerin: Hey! I worked hard on that! Of course it's great! *shakes fist*

Ichigo: I expected far better from Shiro's protege, how disappointing.

Shiro: You guys are just upset the surprise doesn't do anything good for you. ;p

Grimmjow and Ichigo: *hang heads in defeat*

Part 18- The Challenge Is Set Forth

Grimmjow is caught between running and fighting, his grip on Ichigo growing tighter as he holds him close. Yamamoto advances on him, eyes furious and blade drawn. The teal haired feline knows that blade can't kill him, but that doesn't mean it can't hurt him. Before anything happens, Kisuke steps between them. Surprisingly both Aizen and Yamamoto come to an abrupt halt.

"Ah, you two disappoint me," he comments with a smile. "All these years fighting over a mixed breed… and yet you forget such an important fact."

"Which would be..?" Aizen growls.

"Jurisdiction when it comes to a child, as set forth by the ancient clans before us, dictates that said child shall go to their mother's clan…"

"Which would be mine," the brunette huffs. "His mother was an Espada from what I remember."

"Yes, but… should something happen to the mother upon the birth of said child… that right shall pass to the father's clan…"

"Isshin was a Shinigami!" Yamamoto snaps.

"… Unless said father leaves the clan and becomes leader of his own, which would automatically place the child in the new clan," Kisuke finishes. "I, not Isshin, am Ichigo's father."

Silence, a couple gasps, and a shouted exclamation from a Shinigami. Kisuke eyes the two leaders, knowing they'll want to challenge him and already having thought this out. When Yamamoto opens his mouth to reply, the blonde isn't surprised in the least when Aizen cuts in.

"You're a liar! Everyone knows Masaki and Isshin were married!"

"Kurosuchi? Did you bring the notes I asked for?"

"I did, but you had better keep your end of the deal!" the blue haired Shinigami snarls. "I demand the right to your child's blood sample!"

"As promised, but let's wait until he's awake, shall we? I don't want to rile him so soon after such an exhausting change."

He takes the notes from Kurosuchi, handing the files to both Yamamoto and Aizen. Carefully, they look them over and frown deeply. The notes clearly state that Isshin's ability to reproduce was null and void after the conversion, a side effect that happened due to him starting out as a human. It was fixed, of course, by the time the accident turned the three scientists. Afterward, Kisuke hands them the documents he kept on Masaki while she was pregnant.

"… You really are his father," Yamamoto murmurs.

"I am," Kisuke grins. "If you would care to challenge me for the right to my son's future, then by all means! However… I wouldn't recommend that."

"And yet, you forget something as well, Urahara," Aizen spits in distaste. "Your right over Ichigo was lost the minute he chose Grimmjow… and I can very well challenge him for your son. Spoils of war, and all."

"So you can," the blonde smiles mysteriously. "Seems there will be many challenges to determine the future of the evolved gargoyles tonight."

"What are you talking about?" the old man growls.

From the ranks of the Shinigami, Rukia and Byakuya step forward. Byakuya is holding a very disapproving frown upon his usually stoic face, the rest of the Taicho matching it. In the ranks of the Espada, no one has an encouraging comment for Aizen as they all step to Grimmjow's side. No one is happy with the current clan leaders on the two sides, the news of their lies and selfishness spreading through their ranks and leaving no one in sympathy of them.

"Aizen," Grimmjow growls out. "I challenge you for the right to lead the Espada."

"And I, Yamamoto, challenge you for the Shinigami," Byakuya states.

"And I will challenge Urahara!" Shinji says.

Everyone stops and looks at him in shock, Hiyori doing so as though he's lost his mind. He's so serious about it, but he cracks under all the gazes and starts laughing hysterically. Hiyori hits him over the head.

"You idiot! This is serious, stop your joking!"

"You should've seen your faces!"

Grimmjow is startled once more when Ichigo starts to stir, large amber pools holding a sheen of tears. Everything going on around him is put on hold as Grimmjow turns away from those watching them, pressing Ichigo close to him as the orangette cries uncontrollably into his neck. He rocks him gently, kissing his head as he whispers soothing words. He carries Ichigo over to the Manhattan clan, trying to calm him down as he listens to the orangette mumble through his tears.

"It's my fault… so sorry…"

"No, Ichi, it's not your fault," he says. "It's not your fault, you did the best you could. Just calm down, calm down and stop crying. I have to put you down for a moment…"

"No! Please, don't let go," Ichigo sobs. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it! Please don't leave me!"

"I'm not leaving you, Ichigo," the teal haired male says with a hint of hurt. "I love you, I'll never leave you. But right now, I have to take care of the one trying to separate us. Once I'm done with him, you'll never be taken from me again, okay?"

"But I don't w-want you to put me d-down!"

"You'll be safe with Goliath and Demona," he assures. "I need to stop Aizen."

"What if he k-kills you? J-just like he d-did our egg?"

"He won't, I promise."

"… I love you," Ichigo whimpers.

Grimmjow holds him close, letting an animalistic purr rumble through him to soothe his mate's nerves. Slowly, Ichigo relaxes though his sniffling continues. Once he's stopped crying for the most part, he lays him in Goliath's arms and kisses the silken orange locks one more time.

"Good luck," Goliath murmurs. "We will watch over Ichigo."

"Thank you."

"Make him suffer," Demona grins.

Grimmjow smirks back at the female with crimson hair, nodding slightly before turning back to those waiting. Yamamoto and Aizen are furious that they're being challenged after so long being in charge. Their rule was firm and undeniable, no one has the right to challenge them! Without them, there would be no evolved gargoyles. They glare balefully at Kisuke Urahara, once their alley and now their enemy.

"So… who's going first?" the blonde wonders cheerfully.

"I will," Grimmjow states.

"No," Byakuya remarks. "As Ichigo's caretaker, I believe that right is mine."

Dun, dun, dun! Vaerin, you evil girl, how could you just end it like that? Oh, I'm so sorry! Would you like to know what happens next? TOO BAD! You'll just have to wait until I update *laughs evilly*

Ichigo: I blame you for this, Shiro!

Grimmjow: I second that!

Shiro: They just... grow up so fast! T^T